Review: TheatreZone's "Me And My Girl" kicks off new season with powerful show

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A scene is acted out during a dress rehearsal of the TheatreZone's opening musical, "Me and My Girl," in Naples, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.(Photo: Logan Newell/Special to the Naples Daily News)Buy Photo

The words "on with the show" perhaps never meant more in the TheatreZone's nearly 15-year history than this season.

Hurricane Irma rolled through Naples on Sept. 10 and left water damage in its wake at the North Naples theater, which work crews had to rebuild. So Mark Danni — the venue's founder and artistic director — proudly stood on stage Thursday night to welcome the audience to the first show of the year and, in a sense, herald the rebirth of the rebuilt 250-seat theater on the campus of The Community School of Naples.

Because in this community, not even hurricane-force winds will derail the arts.

With the long wait over ("Home For The Holidays" was canceled in December as workers scrambled to install new seats, flooring and more), the packed G & L Theatre audience sat back and enjoyed the snappy, toe-tapping 2½-hour first performance of "Me and My Girl."

The British comedy musical first hit the stage in 1937 in London, and its story and music offer a timeless tale of sorts. Actor Charles Logan plays Bill Snibson, from the "other side" of London who learns he's an heir to a wealthy family.

Bill meets his long-lost relatives who scoff at his "middle class" ways. Even worse, they cannot stomach his girlfriend, Sally (played by Brittany Halen). Bill must decide to blend in with his newfound upper-crust family at the Hareford estate without Sally or return to his native and lower-caste Lambeth. Will he choose money or love?

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A scene is acted out during a dress rehearsal of the TheatreZone's opening musical, "Me and My Girl," in Naples, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.(Photo: Logan Newell/Special to the Naples Daily News)

The production begins with the Harefords discussing the arrival of Bill, hoping he's not too much of a commoner. That wish dissipates immediately with the arrival of Bill, a chummy fellow with a Cockney accent.

They're even more taken aback when Bill introduces Sally, who walks into the estate comparing it to the Ritz and how she wants to improve the decor with "knit curtains and a bit of li-NO-leum."

Bill and Sally perform the fourth number about then, "Me and My Girl," with dazzling dance and tap moves while singing the sweet, upbeat tune that sounds a bit like "Be Our Guest" from "Beauty and the Beast." They dance and tap flawlessly side by side, singing lyrics including, "We'll have love, laughter, be happily ever after."

The performance received the highest praise from the audience at that point, with some standing and cheering them on.

With Sally waiting for Bill at a nearby pub, Lady Jacqueline (played by Kayley Stevens) pounces on an opportunity to seduce Bill.

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Workers begin to install new seating at the G&L Theater, home of TheatreZone, at the Community School of Naples on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in North Naples. In the wake of Hurricane Irma the theater had to have carpet removed, walls repainted and new chairs installed.(Photo: Luke Franke/Naples Daily News)

"I can look deep in your eyes and see what you're thinking," she tells him. "Then why don't you slap my face?" he replies, before she launches into the song, "You Would If You Could."

The first act closed with another upbeat melody, "The Lambeth Walk." Cast members even entered into the aisles along each end of the first floor to perform the number. Some audience members continued to sing the tune as they headed to the lobby for refreshments.

By act two, the Harefords become even more concerned about whether they can transform Bill into one of them. Yet estate elder statesman Sir John (played by Frank Blocker) devises his own scheme: Focus on Sally and work to make her act and talk like a lady (think Pygmalion and "My Fair Lady").

Blocker's character oftentimes reveals flashes of a Monty Python-like character, complete with dancing and often pratfalls. Logan likewise exhibits extreme agility for many of his stage maneuvers, from flipping back onto a sofa to falling face-first to the floor.

But as with the entire show, the timing proves impeccable for all performers. Other memorable portrayals come from Susan Dohan, who plays the dour Maria, Duchess of Dene, and Adolpho Blaire as Parchester with his early number, "The Family Solicitor."

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A scene is acted out during a dress rehearsal of the TheatreZone's opening musical, "Me and My Girl," in Naples, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.(Photo: Logan Newell/Special to the Naples Daily News)

A favorite scene comes near the end, when Bill meets up with Hareford ancestors in a fun way that will surprise. And a near-end song featuring Bill and Sally in a dream state offers more cool props, unmentioned here to not spoil the moment for those attending upcoming shows.

The simple set changes from the estate to a bar to a nighttime street scene, with nothing flashy and more than doing the trick.

As with Irma, "Me and My Girl" blows the doors off the the G & L with such quality theater. A stellar performance for a mighty ensemble and lead characters makes for memorable moments.

Hurricanes will come and go in Southwest Florida, but theater will remain once of its solid foundations. And nothing represents that more than the brilliant "Me and My Girl."